Feds invest $1.6 million in national traceability program

Calgary, Alta. – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has announced a $1.6-million investment in the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA) in support of implementation of its national livestock traceability system. The program gives Canadian producers a competitive edge in the market, and improves food safety throughout the supply chain.

This investment will go towards continued testing of multiple Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems to track livestock movement. Phase Two of the initiative will study the benefits and feasibility of linking the RFID system to computer systems in livestock auction marts. The investment will also go towards evaluating the accuracy of data being tracked, as well as ways to improve the process of distributing RFID tags.

“The results of Phase Two will be outlined in a business case that identifies issues, opportunities, costs and performance to evaluate the impact of fully automated RFID systems at auction markets as well as buying stations and assembly yards,” says Darcy Eddleston, chair of the CCIA.

To date the federal government has committed up to $4.45 million towards the CCIA’s traceability initiatives, under the Canadian Integrated Food Safety Initiative.